Oil-driven revolutionaries

As the price of petrol rises, the way in which our lives have changed extends far beyond whether we’ll walk or drive to the shops, write Tim Dick, Sherrill Nixon and Jordan Baker.

Petrol is changing the way we live. It’s no sudden revolution, and the change won’t be over by next week, but indicators now show the surging price of petrol is altering the way we move, spend, work and play.

Families and singles, individuals and businesses, labour and capital – they all use fuel. When its price moves up, everyone pays more, directly or indirectly, for nothing extra.

“One of our grave concerns is these low-income communities who don’t have access to public transport and are going to be really hard hit,” The executive director of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, Alex Gooding, says.

The Mayor of Baulkham Hills Shire, Sonya Phillips, worries about the social cost. As interest rates, petrol prices and tolls rise – with the Lane Cove Tunnel, a return trip to the city will cost $15.80 in tolls – financial pressure on families is growing.

“What impact does that have on your average family that’s trying to get ahead?” Phillips says. “It might be worth talking to the police to see if domestic violence is on the increase – they’re the sort of issues I’m talking about.”

WHILE some scrimp, others have ditched the car altogether. In the inner suburbs, car-sharing schemes are thriving, as some forgo their own vehicle for one they can hire when needed.

Sidney Morning Herald